𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗟, sᴇʙᴀsᴛɪᴀɴ ᴠᴇᴛᴛᴇʟ

six

INÉS sat in the back seat of Marco's car, flanked by Cristian and Alex, with Javier driving and Marco in the passenger seat. They drove in silence, each lost in their thoughts.

When they arrived at the airport, her brothers helped her with her bags. The shared silence spoke volumes about their collective grief and the unspoken promise to support one another moving forward.

Cristian lingered after the others had said their goodbyes. He gave Inés a tight hug. "If you ever need anything, just call. I mean it."

"I will," Inés promised, her voice thick with emotion.

Back in London, Inés tried to immerse herself in work to keep her mind off the recent events. She quickly got back into her routine, booking shows and photoshoots. The familiar chaos of the fashion world provided a temporary escape.

One evening, as she was prepping for a photoshoot, her phone buzzed with a call from Sebastian. They had been talking more frequently, their nightly calls becoming a comforting routine.

"Hey," she answered, trying to sound cheerful.

"Hey, Inés," Sebastian's voice was warm and soothing. "I wanted to let you know that I'll be in Great Britain for the Grand Prix soon. I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a proper date?"

Inés smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "I'd love that."

"Great. Also, I wanted to explain what happened at the club the night we met. I didn't handle things well, and I'm sorry for any confusion or discomfort it caused."

"It's okay, Sebastian. We can talk more about it when you get here."

The day of the photoshoot arrived, and Inés was surprised when Sebastian offered to drive her there. They chatted comfortably during the ride, the easy banter helping to lighten the mood.

At the shoot, Sebastian watched from the sidelines, mesmerized by how effortlessly Inés moved in front of the camera. She was kind and professional with everyone on set, her genuine warmth evident in every interaction.

During a break, Inés walked over to him, a smile on her face. "What do you think?"

Sebastian's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You're incredible. Watching you work is... I can't even put it into words."

Inés blushed, a mix of pride and shyness. "Thank you, Sebastian."

Later that evening, they sat in a cozy café, finally having their long-awaited date. They talked about everything and nothing, sharing stories from their pasts and dreams for the future.

"Leaving home was tough," Inés confessed. "I was only eighteen, and it felt like I was abandoning my family, but modeling was something I needed to pursue."

Sebastian nodded, relating to her experience. "I left home young too, for racing. It's hard, but sometimes you have to follow your passion, even if it means making tough choices."

Their conversation flowed naturally, each revelation bringing them closer. Sebastian reached across the table, taking Inés's hand in his. "I admire your strength. You didn't just pursue your dreams; you made them a reality."

Inés smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Sebastian. It means a lot coming from you."

As they left the café, hand in hand, a group of paparazzi appeared, their cameras flashing. Inés instinctively tried to pull Sebastian away, but he stood firm, his grip on her hand unwavering. The cameras flashed, and Sebastian gently shielded Inés's face with his hand to protect her from the blinding lights, but he made no effort to avoid being seen himself.

"Sebastian, we should go," she urged, glancing around nervously.

"It's okay," he said, his voice calm. "Let's just walk."

Inés was used to running from the paparazzi, but Sebastian's calm demeanor was something new. He wasn't trying to hide, and his confidence made her feel a little braver.

They continued walking, the paparazzi trailing behind. Sebastian kept his arm around Inés, shielding her from the chaos. His presence was steady, reassuring.

When they finally reached a quieter street, Inés let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Thank you," she said, looking up at Sebastian. "I'm not used to this."

"You don't have to thank me," he replied, smiling down at her. "I want to be with you, Inés, no matter who sees us."

The sincerity in his eyes melted any lingering doubts she had. For the first time in a long time, Inés felt truly seen and accepted. She leaned into Sebastian, feeling a sense of belonging she had been missing.

As they walked back to his car, their hands intertwined, Inés realized just how much she had come to care for Sebastian. Their connection was undeniable, and she was excited to see where it would lead.

Photoshoot Dialogue

As Inés posed for the camera, she noticed the photographer, Linda, giving her a thumbs-up. "That's perfect, Inés. Just a bit more to the left... yes, like that!"

The stylist, Maria, approached with a few clothing adjustments. "You look stunning, as always. This color really suits you."

Inés smiled, appreciating the positive feedback. "Thanks, Maria. You always know how to make me feel confident."

Maria chuckled. "Well, you make our job easy. And who's that handsome man watching you so intently?"

Inés glanced over at Sebastian, who was sitting quietly, watching her. "Oh, that's Sebastian. He's... a friend."

Linda raised an eyebrow. "A friend who looks like he's smitten with you. I see the way he watches you. It's like he's seeing a masterpiece."

Inés felt her cheeks flush. "He's sweet. We've been getting to know each other."

As the shoot continued, Inés interacted with the crew, her warmth and kindness evident in every exchange. Sebastian watched, captivated by her grace and charm. Every smile she gave, every laugh she shared, made him fall a little more in love with her.

As they left the studio, hand in hand, Inés felt a deep sense of contentment. She had shared a piece of her world with Sebastian, and he had accepted it without hesitation.

"I had a great time today," Inés said, looking at Sebastian as they walked.

"Me too," he replied. "I love seeing you in your element. You're amazing, Inés."

She blushed, feeling her heart swell with affection. "Thank you, Sebastian. It means a lot to me."

As they walked back to his car, she looked over at him, "Your race is on Sunday?" she asked, eyeing him nervously. He nodded.

"Yeah," he said, smiling at her nervous eyes.

"You watched me work and do what I love," she thanked him as he opened the car door for her, sliding in gracefully.

He jogged around the car, getting in. "I want to see you do what you love."

His smile brightened. "I will call Britta to get you a pass." She quickly shook her head. "I can buy them, Seb, truly."

His face flushed at the nickname.

"I want to treat you, just be ready at 10. I'll send a car," he said, pulling up in front of her apartment.

She smiled softly, leaning over the center console to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. Sebastian's cheeks brightened, and he watched as she greeted the doorman with a soft smile before turning around and giving one last wave, which he returned giddily.